Mother and Infant Research Activities (MIRA)

Mother and Infant Research Activities (MIRA) was established in 1992 with initiative from Prof. Anthony Costello of the Institute of Child Health, London, and a group of leading perinatalogists in Nepal led by Dr. Dharma S. Manandhar. MIRA was established to conduct studies and develop appropriate and cost-effective interventions to improve maternal and infant health in the country. It was formally registered as a non- government organisation with the office of the Chief District Officer, Kathmandu in 1994.

MIRA is run by a group of experienced and committed Nepalese health and development professionals and has conducted several studies to look at important causes of perinatal and neonatal problems in the country. Studies include topics such as perinatal nutrition and asphyxia, value of multiple micronutrient supplementation in pregnant women and babies, and testing a participatory intervention to reduce neonatal and maternal mortality through womens’ groups. MIRA works closely with the government sector, and was involved in the development of the National Neonatal Health Strategy of the Ministry of Health for improving the care of newborns at each level of care.

What we do

Objectives

To carry out research for the development and promotion of maternal and infant health.

To use the results of research activities for the welfare of mothers and infants.

To expand programs to reduce maternal and infant mortality and morbidity.

To improve neonatal and maternal health through provision of resources and training for various levels of health workers in the Government and non-government institutions in Nepal .

To provide Essential Newborn Care (ENC) training for health workers at all levels.

To provide resource materials on perinatal health.

Activities

In collaboration with the Institute of Child Health, London, MIRA has been involved with major research activities in perinatal health since 1992. The major ongoing activities include:

Improving perinatal health in the community by increasing awareness through mothers’ groups; a study involving female facilitators in rural area of Makwanpur district. This is a cluster randomised control trial that has shown a significant reduction in neonatal and maternal mortality and improvements in care practices.

Developing a cluster randomised control trial to test the effect of women’s groups and antibiotic treatment for neonatal sepsis.

Providing ENC training for health workers from a range of institutions.

a) Research studies in perinatal health
b) Training in Essential Newborn Care for different levels of health workers both in the community and in health institutions.
c) Resource materials on perinatal health at the PTRC.
d) Design and supply of Essential Newborn Care equipment: ‘DSM’ Resuscitaire, Phototherapy unit, Warm cot, Oxygen hood